Motorcycle Jackets Made for Summer Riding

Now that summer is almost upon us, the temptation to go riding in jeans and a T-shirt rises with the temperature. But doing so risks serious injury; as the old adage goes, “Dress for the fall, not for the ride.” Yet while it’s in your best interest to keep your skin off the pavement, dressing for the elements is essential too; if temps are in the upper 80-degree range and humidity is reaching Turkish-bath levels, keeping layers to a minimum without sacrificing safety (or style) is key. In that case, you need to consider summer motorcycle jackets.

Leather jackets, regardless of the number of vents and the amount of perforation, will always be a slightly heavier option, but they tend to have the most style. Synthetic textile jackets tend to be the exact opposite, running much lighter but sporting a technical look to leather’s timeless one. But it’s entirely possible to balance safety and style — all while staying cool. Consider this list a great place to start.

Alpinestars Viper V2 Air Jacket

The V2 is 2019’s new and improved version of the Alpinestars Viper, with with a little more style and added subtlety to its more technical aspects. CE Level 2-rated armor at the shoulders and elbows is less noticeable than the old version but still has you covered in the event of an impact. The massive mesh panels on the chest and back also allow for more airflow to keep you cool. Should the temperatures take a dip and you don’t need maximum cooling, the Viper comes with a removable windbreaker liner. Luckily, the V2 comes with a zippered pocket on the lower back on the outside of the jacket, so you can store the liner when you don’t need it. And as a bonus, the Alpinestars Viper V2 is the most affordable option on the list.

Belstaff Temple Jacket

Belstaff is known for its leather and waxed canvas jackets, but you’ll be sweating gallons if you try to stick out the summer in your Tourist Trophy. For the warmer months, Belstaff has the Temple Jacket, a lightweight nylon shell with mesh section along the arms for airflow. Although it’s made from nylon, Belstaff still managed to translate its classic two-pocket, vintage moto jacket style to the technical construction — an achievement in its own right.

Aether Draft Mesh Jacket

Aether held off on creating a mesh motorcycle jacket for a long time, mainly because the material naturally lends itself to more tactical looks, which isn’t the brand’s M.O at all. As the company’s first mesh jacket, the Draft keeps with the minimalist, understated style Aether is known for, while still providing the full airflow benefits of the porous material. And the Draft comes with a water and wind-resistant outer shell that stores in a zippered pouch in the back — the better to deal with the porous downsides of mesh jackets in inclement weather. The Draft isn’t canvas or leather as we’ve come to expect from them, but it’s undeniably Aether.

Rev’It Convex Jacket

Rev’It’s overall style leans more to the tactical, high-performance side of the spectrum; the company is loud and proud about the capabilities of their jackets, and the Convex Jacket is no exception. The Convex takes inspiration from Rev’It’s race suits, but dials back the intensity for everyday use. Perforations in the leather along the torso, chest and back, combined with the PWR stretch panels, provide the airflow you need to keep cool on a hot day’s ride, but there’s still plenty of abrasion protection thanks to the Monaco Performance cowhide construction.

Dainese Bardo Perforated Jacket

As a traditional, relatively heavy leather jacket, the Bardo should, in theory, have the toughest job of all the picks on this list keeping a rider cool. But Dianese used perforations throughout nearly the entire front and back of the jacket to maximize airflow; there are even extra perforated panels on the underside of the arms for increased circulation. If you’re looking for classic Italian style but don’t want to sweat to death before you reach your destination, the Dainese Bardo Perforated Jacket is the way to go this summer.

This particular 1972 CL350 lived with its original owner until 2017, is now up for sale by its second owner and at the time of this writing, the bidding sits at a temptingly low $2,050, with no reserve.